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posted on 10/1/2003 at 06:53 AM
Grilled Mex gets mixed health review
AZCentral.com
Sept. 30, 2003 05:20 PM
WASHINGTON - Grilled Mexican food can be healthier than regular fast food because it offers fresh chicken, seafood and vegetables, but it contains
high levels of calories, sodium and saturated fats, according to a study released by a nutrition watchdog group Tuesday.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest - which has previously examined other ethnic foods including Chinese and Italian - said consumers often
don't know how much fat and salt is in the food because nutrition information is unavailable at grilled Mexican food chains such as Chipotle and Baja
Fresh.
"We found many burritos, nachos, quesadillas and platters with more than 1,000 calories and at least a half day's saturated fat and a whole day's
sodium," said center director Michael Jacobson, referring to federal nutrition guidelines.
The non-profit consumer health group used nutrition information provided by three Mexican restaurants - Rubio's, La Salsa and Baja Fresh. The
organization purchased food at Chipotle's and had it examined in a lab because the company did not supply nutrition information.
The findings reveal that Mexican isn't always healthier than regular fast food. A Chicken Burrito at Chipotle, partially owned by McDonald's, was
about the same as eating one-and-a-half Quarter Pounders and a large Coke at the burger chain, in terms of fat, sodium and calories. Chipotle's
Vegetarian Burrito had 1,100 calories and 75 percent of the recommended daily intake of saturated fat.
Baja Fresh also offered unhealthy dishes. A Cheese Quesadilla with guacamole, sour cream and salsa is equal to three Quarter Pounders.
Chipotle public relations director Chris Arnold said people already know what is in the report.
People know that a burrito loaded with steak, cheese and sour cream isn't the healthiest meal, he said.
"What they've done is load up a burrito and tell you how bad it is, but the bottom line is our customers are smart enough to what they should and
shouldn't eat," Arnold said.
Chipotle is designed to give customers choices, he said, so a person can make a burrito that fits their diet. Restaurants don't display nutrition
information because that's what traditional fast food chains do, and Chipotle isn't like a fast food restaurant.
"Most people get it even if you don't provide detailed information," Arnold said.
Gene Cameron, vice president for marketing at Baja Fresh, said the report was less critical of his chain than others because it has made an effort to
improve the nutritional alternatives on its menu. Cameron noted that the study recommended 19 out of 45 items on the Baja Fresh menu. Chipotle had the
least recommendations with two out of 10 items.
Shari Miksa, president of Rubio's, said the health-conscious customers know how to select healthy and flavorful foods and can limit add-on items such
as cheese, sour cream and guacamole.
Since 1997, Rubio's has offered a line of "HealthMex" items that are at least 20 percent less fat and calories than regular items. Among those items,
the HealthMex tortillas are made from whole wheat and do not use hydrogenated oil, she said.
"We really believe that healthful food doesn't have to be bland," Miksa said.
Representatives for La Salsa could not be reached for comment.
The National Restaurant bottomociation, the business bottomociation for 870,000 restaurant and food service outlets, released a
statement attacking the report as the latest effort by the "food police to vilify certain types of food" which are widely enjoyed by the public.
"The restaurant and food service industry is an industry of choice, offering a wide variety of venues and menu options that can accommodate the
dietary needs of any individual," the statement said.
Jacobson said his organization is not advocating a boycott of Mexican restaurants.
"We're not saying never to eat at these restaurants," he said. "You can get a decent meal at some of the restaurants. Not everything is a
disaster."
Tips for eating healthier at fresh-Mex are simple, Jacobson said: get burrito's without cheese and sour cream and shave off 200 calories; leave off
the rice to trim another 200 calories; cut the burrito in half to eat later. At Chipotle, order a Burrito Bol, which is a burrito without the
340-calorie tortilla.
At Baja Fresh, the center recommends ordering a chicken or seafood Baja's Ensaladas, Baja's Style Taco, Baja's Bare Burrito or a Baja's Chicken
Fajitas. Although the dishes are still high in salt, they have lower levels of saturated fat.
Fast Food Source - Where happiness comes in a paper wrapper!
I have been trying to locate nutrional information on the chain and am having a hard time. What website did you find your information? Or can you
tell me where to try?
posted on 10/1/2003 at 06:53 AM
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posted on 2/22/2004 at 07:52 AM